Product description

In this official history of the Falklands Campaign, Lawrence Freedman provides a detailed and authoritative account of one of the most extraordinary periods in recent British political history and a vivid portrayal of a government at war. After the shock of the Argentine invasion of the Falklands in April 1982, Margaret Thatcher faced the crisis that came to define her premiership as she determined to recover the islands. Freedman covers all aspects of the campaign - economic and diplomatic as well as military - and demonstrates the extent of the gamble that the government took. There are important accounts of the tensions in relations with the United States, concerns among the military commanders about the risks they were expected to take, the problems of dealing with the media and the attempts to reach a negotiated settlement. This definitive account describes in dramatic detail events such as the sinking of the Belgrano, the battle of Goose Green and the final push to Stanley. Special attention is also paid to the aftermath of the war, including the various enquiries, and the eventual restoration of diplomatic relations with Argentina.

Author information

Sir Lawrence Freedman is Professor of War Studies at King's College where he is currently Vice Principal. He has written extensively on military strategy, cold war history and contemporary conflict and is a regular newspaper columnist.

Review quote

'In Lawrence Freedman, the campaign has found an impeccable official chronicler. There will be plenty of quibbling about details and nuances, and dismay among some readers about his forebearance on personalities, but he establishes a record which is likely to stand.' Max Hastings, Sunday Telegraph 'Freedman is not just a good historian but a terse, readable writer. This is a fine book about modern war, warts and all, in an age when such evenly balanced conflicts are rare.' Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times 'Drawing on an impressive range of government archives, as well as on interviews with key participants, this is official history at its best.' Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, UK 'These two volumes are a formidable achievement and, not least because of access to the official files, provide a major resource for scholars and others concerned with public policy.' Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, UK 'Freedman deserves high praise. It would be good to see a comparable account of the recent war but I doubt it.' Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, UK